This week at #The Loft, we are chatting about blogging! As a blogger since 2011, I have never thought about talking about my blog as a subject in itself. Usually, it writes itself and people generally get the idea… (I think). However, it is a great opportunity to share with you the motivations behind why I blog and what I am hoping to achieve through typing! Plus, it is an opportunity for those at #The Loft to give me a helping hand with tips and advice as I seek to develop and grow my own little space in the bloggosphere! The Loft is open – so come on up and join us! 🙂

Reading the title of this post out-loud and fast kind of makes your tongue feel weird… and may begin to sound like ‘blah, blah, blah’. I really pray that the words on my blog do not sound like that…

The purpose of my blog when I started writing in 2011 was to point people to Jesus; in particular, to show them that God is good in ALL circumstances. I started typing this blog under the title ‘Ruthie’s Journey’ to share with readers about my journey with the Lord in my daily life. However, the circumstances in my life were far from ‘blah, blah, blah’ at the time. I had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer, when I was 19 years old which came as a huge shock and a lot of emotions. Nonetheless, I saw it as an opportunity and a real chance to tell people about how God was working in my life during this very difficult trial. I wanted it to encourage others and to also inform them of my experience of cancer. Many people would dismiss God and close the door on any idea that there can be a loving God when something like cancer strikes.

Many things cause people to dismiss God. There are those that believe he simply does not exist. There are those who want to believe that a God exists, but would not declare it to be the God that I write about so passionately within my posts. There are those who have to live with illness and/or disability daily, or support someone that has to go through such challenging and dark times, and therefore cannot comprehend a truly loving God. If God existed, then why would he permit these awful things to happen? This line of thought coincides with wider global issues such as famine, disease, crime, war, murder, natural disasters, rape, terrorism, greed, hunger, poverty… The list is endless. Evil is prevalent. Where is God?

You have to remember that when I started writing this blog I was in the midst of a trial. I had not made it through to the other side – whatever that might look like. I had know idea what was going to happen. I was even told that having chemotherapy in itself could cause death as I was talked through the risks of having treatment. What was God up to? I had lost control of the driver’s seat of my life and it would now be in the hands of God. However, it is precisely this notion that we have control over our lives that is so deceptive. Sure, we have free will and we can make our own choices. But God is always there whether we choose to believe in Him and trust Him or not. If you could not see the moon one night because it was covered by clouds, does it mean it no longer exists? We have a choice to make. But how can we trust and believe when all is dark and the clouds roll in? The rain pours and the thunder breaks into a loud, deafening roar. We are surrounded by trials, temptations, disasters and adversity.

I look to the Psalms and am reminded of the difficult encounters that we face, but how we have a faithful and strong God. He will never abandon us. He is interested in you when life is going splendidly – when we tend to take no notice of Him because we think we have it all together. Why then would he become disinterested when the dark times come? He uses and permits these situations in our lives and He is in complete control of all – even the most obscene and nightmarish times.

We were NEVER meant to go through life alone. We were designed with the intimate and wonderful intention of having a personal relationship with God. God is NOT a crutch to get through life – He is the very foundation and source of life. Death was never meant to be a part of life, despite what the famous quote says. Evil and death are not from God. God hates sin. He hates evil and death so much that he conquered it for all of us. Yes, we may face death all day long (Psalm 44:22; Romans 8:36) and we may be afflicted, but LISTEN to this:

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

So why don’t we call on the Lord? Why do we go through life alone? He is near! He is faithful! He hears us if we cry out to Him:

“Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.” (Deuteronomy 26:7)

However, God is NOT a genie. He IS God. He DOES answer prayers. He answers them in accordance to His PURPOSE. The purpose may be hard to understand, but God has it all in the PALM of his HAND. We are loved, cherished and looked after when we delight in Him. We may not understand everything and some things in life may hurt us deeply – but not beyond measure. When we know Jesus Christ who tasted death on the cross for all of us, who gives us freedom and life when we put our trust in Him and what He did, we have that certainty that we can get through ALL circumstances in life through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

ALL circumstances. Not some. But ALL.

My blog wants to resound with that knowledge. My blog will boldly proclaim this truth always. That is the true purpose of my writing The Mustard Seed. Seeing Christ in ALL, for He was, and He is, and He is to come. Beginning to end.

If there are any tips or advice to share this message with even more people, I would love to hear your advice! The good news of Jesus was never meant to be a secret. It was meant to be shared through all nations and WE should be the ones sharing it! Amen!

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I love this, Ruth. Your trust and love for Christ shine brightly through your writing. You have walked with Him through dark and difficult times and found Him faithful. THAT is a testimony that cannot be taken from you. Thanks so much for being a wonderful part of The Loft.

Thank you so much Leah 🙂 He is faithful. I am reading through the Psalms at the moment and it is wonderful how we can be honest before the Lord and He does remain so steadfast and faithful through everything. I am so encouraged to think the same Lord that was with the Psalmist’s is the same Lord who is right by our side today 🙂 Thank you for your encouraging and lovely comments – they really are such a blessing to me. I love being a part of The Loft and I am so glad to have the opportunity to meet with you across cyberspace! God bless 🙂

Ruth, you are so right about our illusion of being in control. The Lord is God…but so often I think I am the one in control. I’m so glad you are part of the loft. I just opened a fb group for the looters if you want to join. Just check out my post in the linky and there is a link to join. I think collaboration with other bloggers is helpful!

I am so glad that The Loft is open 🙂 It is such a blessing to read every week. I am not sure if I can join on Facebook as my Facebook is a page, not a profile… does this matter? 🙂 Thankyou for your encouragement! 🙂

Your title made me LOL for real! That’s great! Beautiful purpose to your blog ❤ I'm struck with the fact the three of the blog stories I've gotten to (so far and including my own) were born out of trials. . . That's really something to ponder!

I loved this so much! I too know how it is to go through life seasons. You, my friend are a lot more steady in your faith than I. I admire your strength and view on your trials. Looking forward to seeing more from you!

Thank you for your lovely words Cate and I am glad you liked the post! I am not sure I am that steady, but it is meant to be a narrow road! 🙂 Looking forward to seeing more from you at The Loft also! 🙂 God bless!

One of my very earliest friends was named Ruthie, so I loved when you shared that was part of the title of your first blog. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us. God IS good and is at work in all circumstances.
I read your reply to AJ re: the Facebook page. If you’re not wanting to be on FB much, you could join but then make your setting private so that people cannot search for you. I have a few friends who do that. Then you could interact on the FB page, but wouldn’t have to deal with anything additional. Just a thought.
Thank you so much for your thoughts here! Always a blessing to interact with you and to read what’s on your heart!!